Transfer part for an implant

ABSTRACT

A transfer part for holding an implant has a clamping portion for clamping connection with the implant. The clamping portion has a radial groove, a clamping ring and a force transmission element. The clamping ring is insertable into the radial groove to directly engage with the implant. The force transmission element secures the clamping connection against rotation. An inner ampule for receiving and securing a transfer part for holding an implant has an upper fixing portion and a lower fixing portion. The upper fixing portion reaches to a large surface recess in the ampule for insertion and removal of the transfer part, and has a laterally open indentation enlarging towards the recess adapted for the closely fitting insertion of the transfer part. The lower fixing portion has a laterally open indentation towards the recess adapted to receive the implant.

The present invention refers generally to an improved transfer part orholding element for an implant and specifically to an improved transferpart or holding element for an implant which is suitable to secure overa longer period of time the implant in an inner ampule filled withliquid.

PRIOR ART

From WO-A1-98 55039 (which corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. B1-6,261,097), arotationally symmetrical holding element for an implant, particularly adental implant, to be placed in a bone, and an inner ampule or ampulefor storing the implant are known, wherein the holding element can bebrought threadingly into engagement with the implant by means of a screwshank. The unit, which consists of the holding element and the implantscrewed into it, can be inserted in an inner ampule for storage and fortransport of the implant, which has a fixing portion into which theholding element can be inserted directly or indirectly, and a lateralrecess corresponding to the length of the unit through which the implantwith the holding element can be removed. The holding element of theprior art has, at the end opposite to the screw shank, an extension withan external polyhedron (particularly an octagon), to which a tool, e. g.a rotary tool, can be applied. A securing element, preferably an O-ring,is provided in a radial groove below the extension. In addition,according to WO-A1-98 55039, an exterior capsule with a cover to bescrewed thereon is configured in such a way that the holding elementwith the implant can be locked into place axially between the bottom ofthe exterior capsule and the cover. The entire content of WO-A1-98 55039is hereby incorporated by reference.

U.S. Pat. No. B1-6,247,932 describes a container for a dental implantwherein the transfer part is engagingly connected with the implant. Theknown container is configured analogously to the outer capsule ofWO-A1-98 55039 for receiving and securing the transfer part with theimplant snappingly attached thereto. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No.B1-6,247,932 provides means for securing the implant against rotationwith regard to the transfer part or means for the transmission of forcesfrom the transfer part to the implant, respectively.

A transfer part with a snap-on mechanism is known from U.S. Pat. No.B1-6,206,696, where attachment to the implant takes place by means ofsnapping into a healing screw. Similar transfer parts are known fromWO-A1-00 02496 and WO-A1-01 50978, which can be attached to a healingscrew fastened to the implant by means of a snap-in process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the prior art described above, an object of the presentinvention is the provision of a transfer part or holding element for animplant, in particular for a dental implant, which features both asecure and an easily established connection with an implant.

In the framework of the above object, a special task of the presentinvention is the provision of a transfer part or holding element for animplant, in particular for a dental implant, which maintains the secureconnection with the implant in a liquid medium, e. g. in a sterilestorage liquid for a dental implant.

This and other tasks to be found in the following description are solvedby a transfer part for a dental implant according to the attachedclaims.

Other features and advantages of the present invention as well as thefunctioning of different embodiments of the present invention aredescribed below with reference to the accompanying figures. Thesefigures illustrate the present invention and, in combination with thespecification, serve to explain the basics of the invention and toenable a person skilled in the art to manufacture and use the invention.In this connection:

FIG. 1 shows a view of a transfer part according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 1A shows an enlarged view of a portion of the transfer part in FIG.1, wherein a radial groove for receiving a clamp ring according to theinvention is formed;

FIG. 1B shows a right lateral view of the transfer part in FIG. 1;

FIG. 1C shows a left lateral view of the transfer part in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of a schematic transfer part according toFIG. 1 with a dental implant placed on it and an inner ampule forstorage and transport of the implant;

FIG. 2A shows an enlarged view of a portion of the transfer part and theimplant in FIG. 1A, wherein a radial groove for receiving a clamp ringaccording to the invention is formed;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the transfer part in FIG. 2 with thedental implant placed on it and the inner ampule for storage andtransport of the implant;

FIG. 3A shows a modified embodiment of the inner ampule in FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the clamp ring of the transfer part accordingto the invention in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the clamp ring of the transfer partaccording to the invention in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a sectional view through a top fixing portion of the ampuleaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 5B is a sectional view through a bottom fixing portion of the innerampule according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 2A, a currently preferred embodiment of arotationally symmetrical transfer part or holding element according tothe present invention is described wherein the transfer part isgenerally designated by the reference number 1.

In analogy to WO-A1-98 55039, the transfer part 1 has a free extension 2which ends at the top, with an outer polyhedron (preferably an octagon)and an adjacent first radial groove 3 for placing therein a securingelement, preferably an O-ring 3A shown in FIG. 2. A rotational tool oran adaptor (not shown) for a rotational tool or the like can be directlyapplied at the free extension 2; by means of this, the implant can beremoved from an inner ampule without being touched. The inner ampoulecan be inserted in conventional outer capsule.

In addition, the transfer part 1, analogously to WO-A1-98 55039, has afixing portion generally designated by the reference number 4 andpositioned below the extension 2. The fixing portion 4 which isconfigured to be received in the inner ampule comprises a first and asecond cylindrical collar 5 and 7, respectively, between which acylinder portion 6, reduced in diameter, is located. Between theextension 2 and the fixing portion 4, a breaking point designated by thereference number 30 is formed.

According to the invention, the transfer part 1 furthermore has aclamping portion designated generally by the reference number 8 andlocated below the fixing portion 4. The clamping portion 8 comprises athird radial groove 9, a force transmission element 10, a second radialgroove 11 and an end 12 in the form of a truncated cone. The forcetransmission element 10 has an outer polyhedron, preferably an octagon,as a surface, which has a cross section substantially equal to orslightly smaller than the outer polyhedron of the extension 2. in thesimplified illustration in FIG. 2, this breaking point 30 is omitted.

According to the invention, the transfer part 1 furthermore has aclamping portion designated generally by the reference number 8 andlocated below the fixing portion 4. The clamping portion 8 comprises athird radial groove 9, a force transmission element 10, a second radialgroove 11 and an end 12 in the form of a truncated cone. The forcetransmission element 10 has an outer polyhedron, preferably an octagon,as a surface, which has a cross section substantially equal to orslightly smaller than the outer polyhedron of the extension 2. in thesimplified illustration in FIG. 2, this breaking point 30 is omitted.

FIG. 2 shows the clamp ring 13 according to the invention in anassembled state with a schematically represented dental implant 14 whichcan be similar to the dental implant of WO-A1-98 55039. However, it isreadily apparent to the person skilled in the art of implantology thatthe transfer part of the present invention is not limited to the implantshown in WO-A1-98 55039 but that it can be utilized in combination withother conventional implants or other abutments without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The dental implant 14 in FIG. 2 has an inner space 15 which isconfigured with an area 17 (e. g. octagon) which matches the outerpolyhedron of the force transmission element 10 so that a rotationallysecure and non-positive connection between the transfer part 1 and thedental implant 14 is implemented.

Preferably, the implant undercut 18 designed for subsequent insertion ofthe dental implant 14 is also dimensioned suitably for clampinglyreceiving the clamp ring 13. A conical implant shoulder 19 in the upperarea of the implant 14 closely surrounds the first ring groove 9 of thetransfer part 1.

The dental implant 14 in combination with the transfer part 1 clampedthereon can be inserted in an inner ampule 20 having a large-area recess16, with the inner ampule 20 being inserted in a closable outer capsule(not shown) for storage and transport of the implant. The recess 16shown in FIG. 3 has a substantially rectangular shape, although itslower portion 16A, as shown in FIG. 3A, can have a rounded shape,facilitating the handling of the implant 14.

Both the inner ampule 20 and the outer capsule can be implementedaccording to WO-A1-98 55039, although other embodiments of theseelements with the transfer part according to the invention or with thecombination of this transfer part with the implant, respectively, can beimplemented as well. Naturally, the outer capsule must be closedsealingly if it contains a liquid, e. g. an electrolyte or an aqueoussolution for storing the dental implant.

Another aspect of the present invention refers to an improved innerampule 20 with an upper fixing portion 22 reaching to the large surfacerecess 16. The upper fixing portion 22 is modeled analogously to thefixing portion of WO-A1-98 55039 and has a laterally open trumpet likeindentation 21, the latter pointing in the same direction as the largesurface recess 16. The indentation 21 can be provided with roundedcorners at the peripheral entrance, wherein these rounded corners canalso be omitted according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Inthe vicinity of the theoretical central axis M of the inner ampule 20,the indentation 21 has a necking 23 behind which the indentation 21 isenlarged in semi-circular shape. In this way, two opposite jaws 25, 25′are formed on the fixing portion 22. Beyond the indentation 21, furthercutting into the fixing portion 22 towards the cylinder barrel of theinner ampule, an expansion groove 24 is provided so that when a transferpart 1 or a fixing portion 4 of the transfer part 1, respectively, arepressed in and out between the jaws 25, 25′, these can be betterstraddled elastically. After the necking 23 has passed the cross-sectionof the transfer part 1 when the latter is pressed in, the transfer part1 is engaged in the indentation 21, and the jaws 25, 25′ become closeagain.

To better fix the transfer part 1 in the inner ampule 20 and to preventthe transfer part 1 from separating from the implant 14 duringtransport, a lower fixing portion 26 of the inner ampule 20 is providedwhich is configured to receive the conical implant shoulder 19. Thelower fixing portion 26 of the inner ampule 20 has two support wings 27,27′ extending in alignment with the indentation 21, set back a littlefrom it, so that a close fitting for the implant shoulder 19 is formed.The support wings 27, 27′ can also be provided with correspondingrounded corners at the peripheral entrance for better guidance of theimplant shoulder 19.

Thus, the conical implant shoulder 19, supported by the support wings27, 27′, is biased or pressed upwards in the direction of the transferpart 1, avoiding other means known from the prior art for securingtransport of the dental implant in its lower portion. The support wingsaccording to the invention can be used independently of the featuresdescribed above, in particular independently of the improved transferpart with the clamp ring, with every appropriately configuredcombination of implant and transfer part, and represent another aspectof the invention which, as already mentioned, solves the problem ofsecuring transport of the transfer part and/or the implant.

Furthermore, the inner ampule 20, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 3A, canbe equipped with enlarged anti-rolling ribs 20B for preventing anundesired rolling or turning of the ampule 20. In addition, anorientation surface 20A (see FIG. 3A) can advantageously be provided onthe side opposite to the indentation 21.

When technical features mentioned in any of the claims are provided witha reference number, these reference numbers have been included solely toincrease intelligibility of the claims. Accordingly, these referencenumbers have no limiting effect on the scope of each element which isidentified, by way of example, by such reference numbers.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A combination of a dental implant and atransfer part for holding the dental implant, the transfer partcomprising: a free extension at one end of the transfer part forcoupling a rotational tool and a first radial groove adjacent to thefree extension for receiving a securing element; a clamping portion atthe other end of the transfer part for the clamping connection of thetransfer part to the dental implant, said clamping connection providingthe sole connection between the transfer part and the implant, theclamping portion comprising a force transmission element for securingthe clamping connection against rotation, a second radial groovedirectly adjacent to the force transmission element, and a clamp ringinsertable into the second radial groove to engage with the dentalimplant, wherein the dental implant comprises an internal undercutpositioned correspondingly to the second radial groove of the clampingportion of the transfer part and dimensioned suitably to providetogether with the second radial groove a receiving means for clampinglyreceiving the clamp ring.
 2. The combination according to claim 1, withthe clamp ring being formed from polyether ether ketone (PEEK) so that asecure clamping connection in a liquid is provided.
 3. The combinationaccording to claim 1, with the force transmission element having anoctagonal surface.
 4. The combination according to claim 1, with theclamp ring in its non-assembled state having a gap at its outercircumference.
 5. The combination according to claim 1, furthercomprising an extension having an outer polyhedron and a fixing portionto be received in an inner ampule, with the fixing portion positionedbetween the extension and the clamping portion.
 6. A combination of aninner ampule and a transfer part for a dental implant, wherein thetransfer part comprises: a free extension at one end of the transferpart for coupling a rotational tool and a first radial groove adjacentto the free extension for receiving a securing element, a clampingportion at the other end of the transfer part for the clampingconnection of the transfer part to an implant, said clamping connectionproviding the sole connection between the transfer part and the implant,the clamping portion comprising a force transmission element forsecuring the clamping connection against rotation, a second radialgroove directly adjacent to the force transmission element, and a clampring insertable into the second radial groove, wherein the dentalimplant comprises an internal undercut positioned correspondingly to thesecond radial groove of the clamping portion of the transfer part anddimensioned suitably to provide together with the second radial groove areceiving means for clampingly receiving the clamp ring, and wherein theinner ampule has an upper fixing portion which reaches to a largesurface recess in the inner ampule for insertion and removal of thetransfer part, wherein the upper fixing portion has a laterally openindentation enlarging radially towards the recess which is adapted forthe closely fitting insertion of a portion of the transfer part, and alower fixing portion adapted to receive the implant.
 7. An inner ampulefor receiving and securing a transfer part for a dental implant, withthe inner ampule having an upper fixing portion which reaches to a largesurface recess in the inner ampule for insertion and removal of thetransfer part, wherein the upper fixing portion has a laterally openindentation towards the recess which is adapted for the closely fittinginsertion of a portion of the transfer part, and a lower fixing portionalso having a laterally open indentation towards the recess and adaptedto receive the implant, wherein the transfer part comprises a freeextension at one end of the transfer part for coupling a rotational tooland a first radial groove adjacent to the free extension for receiving asecuring element, a clamping portion at the other end of the transferpart for the clamping connection of the transfer part to an implant,said clamping connection providing the sole connection between thetransfer part and the implant, the clamping portion comprising a forcetransmission element for securing the clamping connection againstrotation, a second radial groove directly adjacent to the forcetransmission element, and a clamp ring insertable into the second radialgroove to engage with the dental implant, and wherein the dental implantincludes an internal undercut positioned correspondingly to the secondradial groove of the clamping portion of the transfer part anddimensioned suitably to provide together with the second radial groove areceiving means for clampingly receiving the clamp ring.
 8. The innerampule according to claim 7, where the indentation of the upper fixingportion enlarges radially toward the recess and where the lower fixingportion is configured in the form of two support wings.
 9. The innerampule according to claim 7, where the indentation is adapted toclampingly receive a fixing portion of a transfer part and where thelower fixing portion is adapted to receive an implant shoulder.
 10. Theinner ampule according to claim 7, where the recess is formed withrounded corners at its lower portion opposite to the indentation.